Interview with a Salento writer: "The wall is my canvas, the town is my museum"

Franz: twenty years of walls and paint

Francesco Donato, known to everyone as Franz, started painting walls at sixteen in a neighbourhood of Lecce. Today, at thirty-six, his work decorates cities across Italy and Europe. We caught up with him on the sidelines of RestArt 2025.

How did you get started?

"Like everyone, with a stolen spray can and the wrong walls. But then I understood I wanted to make something that lasted, not just tag my name. I started studying: Basquiat, Banksy, Os Gemeos, Keith Haring. I realised writing could be real painting."

How has the scene changed in Salento?

"When I started, doing a mural was almost a criminal act. Now there are festivals, public commissions, artist residencies. Salento has become a place where urban art makes sense — there's already a tradition of decorating surfaces here, just think of the Baroque churches. We're the heirs of that tradition, in a different way."

What struck you about RestArt?

"APS OnStage's organisation is serious. They don't just stick you on any old wall: there's a brief, there's dialogue with the community, there's time to do things properly. I finished the mural on Via Roma in four days. It was one of the best experiences of my career."

Any advice for someone starting out?

"Always draw, even on paper. The wall amplifies everything, mistakes included. And study the history: without knowing where you come from, you can't know where you're going."

Franz will also be taking part in RestArt 2026. His portfolio is available on Instagram.